Update to MS04-023 for HTML Help programs (873343)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium) 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium)
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98


Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

The following symptoms may be experienced on computers that have the MS04-023 security update installed:

  • Computers that are running pre-release versions of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) may remain subject to HTML Help vulnerabilities

    Computers that have been upgraded from Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate 1 to Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate 2 remain subject to critical vulnerabilities in HTML Help.

    You can resolve this problem by installing the hotfix that is included in this article or by installing Windows XP SP2.

  • Some programs may not work correctly with HTML Help

    After the MS04-023 security update is applied, only files that have the .chm file name extension can be used as compiled HTML Help files. Programs that use other file name extensions for compiled HTML Help files can no longer display content by using HTML Help.

    To work around this problem, install the hotfix that is mentioned in this article. Contact the manufacturer of the program that experiences the problem to obtain an updated version of the program or for specific instructions about how to use this hotfix.

    To work around this problem after you install the hotfix, follow these steps to update the registry.

    Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
    1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
    2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x

      Note If this registry subkey does not exist, create it.
    3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
    4. Type HelpRestrictions, and then press ENTER.
    5. Right-click the HelpRestrictions subkey, point to New, and then click Key.
    6. Type AllowedExtensions, and then press ENTER.
    7. Right-click the AllowedExtensions subkey, point to New, and then click Key.
    8. Type the file name extension of the HTML Help files that have file name extensions other than .chm, and then press ENTER.

      For example, if the HTML Help files that you want to use have an .ext file name extension, type ext.
    9. Right-click the subkey that you created in step 8, point to New, and then click String Value.
    10. Type the file name of the program that will use the HTML Help files that have file name extensions other than .chm, and then press ENTER.

      For example, if the program that uses the HTML Help files is Program.exe, type Program.exe.
Note The MS04-023 security bulletin contains information about the security update and your deployment options. To view the security bulletin, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-023.mspx

RESOLUTION

Windows Server 2003 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.Windows Server 2003, 32-bit versions
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   ----------------------------------------------------
   20-Jul-2004  20:03  5.2.3790.194  124,416  Itss.dll
Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Itanium-based version
   Date         Time   Version        Size    File name  Platform
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   20-Jul-2004  20:03  5.2.3790.194  364,032  Itss.dll   IA-64
   20-Jul-2004  20:03  5.2.3790.194  124,416  Witss.dll    x86

Windows XP SP2 service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate 1 and Windows XP SP2 Release Candidate 2 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   -----------------------------------------------------
   24-Jul-2004  07:16  5.2.3790.1221  134,144  Itss.dll

Windows XP hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.Windows XP, 32-bit versions
   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   -----------------------------------------------------
   20-Jul-2004  01:51  5.2.3790.1221  134,144  Itss.dll
Windows XP, 64-bit Itanium-based versions
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name  Platform
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   22-Jul-2004  01:04  5.2.3790.194  364,032  Itss.dll   IA-64
   22-Jul-2004  01:00  5.2.3790.194  124,416  Witss.dll    x86

Windows 2000 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   ----------------------------------------------------
   26-Jul-2004  17:14  5.2.3790.194  124,416  Itss.dll

Windows Millennium Edition hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   ----------------------------------------------------
   29-Jul-2004  22:06  5.2.3790.196  125,440  Itss.dll

Windows 98 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
   ----------------------------------------------------
   29-Jul-2004  22:06  5.2.3790.196  125,440  Itss.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the MS04-023 security update, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

840315 MS04-023: Vulnerability in HTML Help could allow code execution

For more information about the terminology that is used in this article, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/7/2006
Keywords:kbQFE KBHotfixServer ATdownload kbWinXPsp2fix kbWinServ2003preSP1fix kbWin2000preSP5fix kbWin2000SP5fix kbWinXPpreSP2fix kbBug kbfix KB873343 kbAudITPRO kbAudDeveloper
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